Enhancing Electrical Safety at PD Ports: A Dedicated Approach

PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port groups, operates at 12 locations nationwide. As critical hubs in the global supply chain, ports like PD Ports play a pivotal role in ensuring these complex environments’ smooth and safe operation. PD Ports is committed to maintaining high safety and efficiency standards in its operations.

Project Requirements

In July 2021, PD Ports approached Electrical Safety UK (ESUK) to inquire about improving its Electrical Safety Management System (ESMS). Paul Hopton, ESUK’s Principal Electrical Engineer, met with Martin Walker, the Group Engineering Manager (Electrical) at PD Ports, and other key stakeholders to discuss how ESUK could assist. The initial consultation was free of charge and covered how ESUK could support the implementation of the new ESMS with training and development, arc flash studies, authorising engineers, and technical authority support. ESUK developed a scope of work along with a fixed-price proposal.

PD Ports Solution

ESUK produced a comprehensive suite of Electrical Safety Management Documents for PD Ports, including:

• Electrical Safety Policy
• Electrical Safety Rules
• Earthing Systems Design and Maintenance
• Electrical Competency Management System
• Authorisation of Electrical Personnel
• And many more addressing various safety aspects.

Approach

ESUK drafted each document and sent it to PD Ports as it was produced, allowing key stakeholders to review it. The document production was phased to ensure thorough review and feedback. Once all draft documents were created, they were reviewed in detail via video conference with key stakeholders. Amendments were made as necessary, and final versions were issued.

Conclusion

The collaboration between PD Ports and ESUK resulted in a robust Electrical Safety Management System that enhances safety and operational efficiency. This project underscores the importance of comprehensive safety management in high-stakes environments like port operations, ensuring the well-being of personnel and the smooth functioning of critical infrastructure.